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The Republic of Ireland has become the first member of the European Union to recognize, albeit not in explicit terms, an independent Palestinian state, by upgrading the diplomatic mission of the Palestinian Authority to that of embassy status. Southern Ireland, which has become a hotbed of anti-Semitism in recent years, made the announcement just days after the Russian government reaffirmed its own recognition of 'Palestine'. The Irish government has said that the move does not necessarily constitute Irish recognition of a Palestinian state, but the PA delegation in Ireland will now enjoy all of the privileges associated with that recognition. The Israeli government has expressed its regret over the decision, which will undoubtedly harm efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement in the Middle East. Ireland is of course not the first country in the EU to upgrade its relations with the Palestinian Authority. Spain recently upgraded the status of its relations with the PA from General Delegation to Diplomatic Mission, affording the Palestinian representative all the benefits of an ambassador but without recognizing 'Palestine' as an independent state. But Ireland's decision goes one step further again.

Quote: "According to the decision, the head of the Palestinian mission will become an ambassador in Dublin and will present his credentials to the Irish president. Israel fears other European countries may follow suit, as is the case in Latin America, where a number of countries, including Brazil, Chile and Argentina, have recognized a "free and sovereign" Palestinian state over the past few months. Peru recognized "Palestine" on Monday.

Analysts expect that other European nations may follow suit. It seems that the international community is determined that a Palestinian state should be established by the end of this year, regardless of whether progress has been made in finding peace between Jews and Arabs. If you remember, it was Javier Solana, the former High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy, who first suggested that a deadline should be set for the establishment of a state. And if peace was not forthcoming, then the United Nations would pass a ruling on the matter, enforcing a settlement. The Israeli government was outraged by his suggestion. But the policy was subsequently adopted by US President Barack Obama, the EuroMed parliamentary assembly and by the PA Prime Minister Salem Fayyad himself. Far from being isolated incidents or irrelevant decisions made by a few rogue states, the string of countries now willing to recognize an independent Palestinian state actually falls in line with this policy. The international community is determined to recognize a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria, peace or no peace.

As you can see, the Bible's prediction of what is to take place during the last days is one hundred percent accurate. Both the Old and New Testament prophets foresaw a time when the nations of the world would be in siege against Judah and Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2). Judah is the Biblical name given to the territory which covers the lower half of the modern day 'West Bank' and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority also demands that east Jerusalem be given to them for a capital city. And the Bible predicts that the city will be divided again, just prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Zechariah 12:2-3, Revelation 11:2). Both Hamas and Fatah have of course made no secret of their desire for the complete destruction of all of Israel. Recently Abbas was presented with a map of the Middle East with the state of 'Palestine' replacing the entire territory now occupied by Israel. Hatred of Israel and the Jewish people is also endemic in Palestinian academia, and Palestinian TV incites hatred of the Jews and glorifies those who would seek to murder them. This is the government and this is the country that the nations of the world are now offering recognition to. And the Bible states that God will judge all those nations who come against Jerusalem and seek to divide His land (Joel 3:2).

Clearly the time of Christ's coming is drawing near. The Middle East conflict may seem to most as a purely political and geographical conflict. It is not. In reality there is an intense spiritual battle that is being waged behind the scenes between the forces of good and the forces of evil. I'm not saying that Israelis are good and Palestinians are evil. All people are born sinners. But what I am saying is that Satan is bent on controlling Israel and specifically the Temple Mount in east Jerusalem, for he knows that this is where Christ will rule from when He sets up His Millennial Kingdom. Look at the two prophecies concerning the first coming of the Messiah.

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Revelation 12:3-5, 13 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne... And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

The woman is of course representative of Israel through whom the Messiah, the Man Child, came. As you can see, enmity has existed between Satan and Christ since the very beginning, and this is set to continue right up until the time of Christ's return. Only when Christ returns will this battle finally be won, and Psalm 2 predicts the victorious outcome. Only then will we see all things put under His feet (Hebrews 2:8). This spiritual battle may be being waged now in far off Israel, but did you know that it reaches as far as your heart? For Satan is also bent on controlling your heart, to prevent Christ from taking up residence there. The Bible says that "the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them", 2nd Corinthians 4:4. Don't let Satan get the victory. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.